Music Saves Lives
Music Saves Lives is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization and is listed in the IRS publication 78. Established in January 2006 by founder Russel Hornbeek in Seal Beach, California. Music Saves Lives has educated students and encouraged over 250,000 summer blood donations from youth under the age of 25. This organization has been honored by the American Red Cross Blood Services 6 years in a row for organizing the largest national collection of blood from youth ages 16–25 during the summer months of June, July and August.[1]
Music Saves Lives has attributed its record setting blood donor recruitment to reaching students in "lifestyle" music partnering. Each summer Music Saves Lives partners with the largest summer concert tour that has 17 years experience, the Vans Warped Tour. Young blood donors receive a music related incentive, such as a meet and greet with a notable band, music downloads, and backstage VIP passes distributed by the blood centers.
Since 2007 the Gibson Guitar Corporation has teamed up with Music Saves Lives and donated several guitars to be designed by various artists (Mike Oncley, Ryan Seaman, Cory Burke, Josh Kenyon, Colby Nichols, Andrew Holder, Sara Antoinette Martin, signed by bands (Bad Religion, Pennywise, Coheed and Cambria, Reel Big Fish, NOFX, Bouncing Souls, Thrice, Katy Perry, Meg and Dia, Jacks Mannequin) and then auctioned off to support the non-profit.
In 2011 Music Saves Lives and Smorgasbord Productions created the first full-length animated public service announcement. This PSA animation featured the band 3oh!3 and the animated cast from "Supa Pirate Booty Hunt" and adult style cartoon featuring a booty loving pirate and his side kick Daniel the Turtle. The PSA animation entered the Burbank International Film Festival and won 7 film festival awards.
In January 2012, rapper Coolio represented Music Saves Lives in the Food Network reality series Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.[2]
At the 2012 Conic Con Event, Music Saves Lives premiered the second Smorgasbord animation production called "Metal In My Shell" with metal rock star, and lead singer in the band Megadeth, Dave Mustaine. Dave Mustaine shares a rock off with character Captain Zack to prove that he is god of all metal, while promoting a life saving message about donating blood.